These include fewer delays, less expense to maintain, sufficient capacity to accommodate fluctuating traffic, longer life span and fewer, less severe crashes. Roundabouts reduce travel time by allowing traffic in all directions to flow continuously. Motorists travel in a counterclockwise direction around the circle and proceed in their intended direction without stopping. Studies show a significant time savings because motorists do not have to wait to make left-turns. Roundabouts are efficient both during high traffic and low traffic. Even if many vehicles are using the intersection, vehicles can move continuously with little or no delay. Vehicles do not have to wait for a signal to change when there are no other vehicles in the intersection. 

Roundabouts provide improved safety for all modes of travel. One benefit is an overall reduction in vehicle speed while still accommodating all traffic movements. Also, the number of vehicle-to-vehicle conflict points decreases from 32 to eight as shown in the graphic below. Head-on and high-speed collisions are virtually eliminated. Studies also show a reduction in the occurrence and severity of pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. Due to the roundabout design, pedestrians only cross one direction of traffic at a time with a roundabout.